Three Reasons for Renewable Energy Now

The reasons for a cultural shift towards renewable energy are many and obvious. Let me give but three of these.

In the first place, there is the argument that renewable--and by that I mean non-hydrocarbon--energy will help curb greenhouse gas emissions. This argument is bolstered by the scientific facts regarding global warming (yes, global warming and not mere "climate change"). The factual aspect of this, namely, that our hydrocarbon usage is causing global warming is contested only by the lunatic fringe and not mainstream science. Second, the moral concern for future generations is again contested only by the lunatic fringe who see a silver lining in a coming apocalypse. Whatever the basis for our moral judgments, we all ought to see the value in bequeathing to future generations a planet that is capable of sustaining life in all of its diversity and a civilization worthy of human dignity.

Secondly, traditional hydrocarbon sources of energy are already in decline even as demand is is increasing worldwide. The scientific data on peak oil is robust and conspicuous. While there are hidden pockets of oil and natural gas, many if not most of these resources will dwindle in the imminent future. Industrial civilization depends on an abundance of cheap energy. If we want industrial civilization, then we need energy. Because that energy is becoming more difficult and costly to find, it follows that some alternative is a practical necessity to sustaining the project of civilization. Some will say that we should just let this industrial phase of civilization wither on the vine because it has brought too much inequality, pollution, and alienation. While that is true, it is also true that in the industrialized countries the life expectancy has been increased by about 50 years per individual and the quality of life has, in many respects, improved. On the whole, then, new forms of energy are needed to continue (at the least) the benefits of industrial civilization. The downsides of industrial society are very real as well, but I believe that they can be dealt with on their own.

Lastly, there are moral reasons for a cultural shift to renewable energy based upon an interest we have in facilitating autonomy. By this I mean that citizens have a moral and economic interest in the production and use of their own energy resources. Morally, a citizen has an interest in preventing the devastating effects of global warming while also working towards advancing the interests of the common good of industrial society. Economically, a citizen has an interest in reducing the costs of their own energy usage. By possessing technologies to produce energy in a minimally polluting fashion, citizens can take hold of this problem and contribute on an individual basis to the solution. Policy and legislation which facilitates this (such as a carbon cap and trade scheme) will greatly enhance individual control over energy production and use both now and for future generations. The alternative is that individuals are forced to utilize the existing hydrocarbon intensive energy infrastructure as it currently stands. They are forced, in other words, to cause global warming and to commit future generations to a diminished standard of living. This does and should sit uneasily with the individual conscience.

These, then, are three powerful reasons for a cultural shift to renewable energy: global warming, peak oil, and individual autonomy.